Valis: The Phantasm Soldier is a video game that was officially released more than 30 years ago and at the time managed to gain a good amount of fans and subsequently several sequels, the most important being Valis II and Valis III. But because it was released quite some time ago, many didn’t get the chance to experience this incredible adventure of a young student who gains powers with a magical sword and although Valis: The Phantasm Soldier Collection was originally released for Nintendo Switch a few years ago, it has now arrived for PC. With that in mind, is it worth playing the title after all these years?
The Story of Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection
One of the most striking points of all the games in this collection, which are: Valis: The Fantasm Soldier, Valis II and Valis III, is that their story is quite interesting and introduces us to a Japanese schoolgirl named Yuko Asou, who is summoned to become the warrior of Valis, a very important title and one that she achieves every time she uses a mystical sword. With her new role, the young girl must protect the Earth, the spirit realm and the Vecanti dream world from the demon lord Rogles.
As the first three games in the franchise, we see Yuko’s journey to become the best warrior, as she goes on exciting adventures with a narrative level that is very good for the time and manages to stay relevant even after the years: meeting the main villain and the different problems that arise from him while Yuko in her new role avoids the greater evil is very entertaining to watch.
In addition, the game tells this story through panels which in some cases have movement, but above all they have something quite interesting for the time: a voice acting job for the characters, so it is interesting to get to know the story beyond what you see in each level with each boss.
The gameplay of Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection
In terms of gameplay, the three titles present in Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection are quite similar and reminiscent of other great platformers and action games such as Castlevania, as we will move in 2D side-view scenarios while jumping between platforms and eliminating enemies. One of the most important aspects of the Valis saga is the combat, with Yuko using her sword to fight enemies, which are usually very varied.
But to give much more variety to these battles, throughout the stage we can collect some Power-Up, which are divided into those that directly affect our weapon and allow us to change the shot made, either: small bursts of energy, light swords, guided energy that chases enemies and even in some cases very useful rockets. And, on the other hand, we find extra abilities, in many cases more defensive and that protect us from attacks, such as orbs that float next to us inflicting damage or even invincibility, but for a short period of time.
Each level follows a simple rule: advance by eliminating enemies to reach the final boss of the level and have a special battle, which is usually not very difficult once you discover the attack pattern of this and if you combine your skills well you can win without further ado. But if this or any other part of the levels seen in any of these games in Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection seems complicated to you, the game has the option to rewind your actions, so if you want to go back a few seconds before losing to counterattack in the most efficient way, you can do it.
Graphics and sound of Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection
Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection stands out for the adaptation of the first three titles of the saga to PC, so no significant changes were made to the graphics, although what is allowed are small changes in the resolution that can make each title more enjoyable. As for the improvements in each game, it is noticeable that since the first title Valis: The Fantasm Soldier and Valis III things have improved, but the essence is still the same.
In terms of sound, this is one of the most successful points of the title, even so many years after its release, the 8-bit melodies are very good and perfectly accompany what is happening on screen, but as often happens with these, hearing the same melodies repeated endlessly can be tiring. As for the voice acting work we mentioned, Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection brings us both the games in their original Japanese language, as well as the English versions, although this is only in Valis II and Valis III.
Conclusion
With the most important points of the games analysed, we can say that Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection is a perfect game for those who want to experience for the first time a very interesting story, with a platforming very similar to other greats of the genre, but with its own very marked style. It will also be a trip to the past for those who have played the titles at the time, with the possibility of trying it in its original version or in English, with some additions such as the option to rewind, change some small technical details or even save games to play later.
Although there is also a big point that plays against Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection and is that the fourth installment, Valis IV, is not available in this collection, so it would have been good to put it so that the whole saga is complete. Maybe in the future they will add the last game, as although it is a collection, the titles can be purchased separately for a small fee or all together for the full price.
Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection will be a very good addition, and while some aspects may become repetitive, many will enjoy the interesting story of this game that is already an all-time classic. Remember that Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection is already available for PC via Steam and we share below the link so you can buy it: download link.
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